Talk:International recognition of Kosovo

Haiti recognized Kosovo

It is 87 recognition for the Republic of Kosovo. A few minutes before 24 o'clock on the Friday, the Foreign Ministry has announced that Haiti is the newest qa recognized Kosovo. "Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti, Laurent Lamothe, after an official meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, Enver Hoxhaj, in a joint press conference have made public the official recognition of independence from Haiti" stated in the notice of the Foreign Ministry. Haiti is the 87th state to recognize Kosovo's independence. Recognition of this state comes at a time when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo has intensified efforts to conclude the maximum process of recognition of independence. http://www.gazetaexpress.com/?cid=1,13,73633

And, here is the official press release by the Kosovar Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Gjatë vizitës në Haiti, Ministrit Hoxhaj i konfirmohet njohja nga ky shtet.

The press release is in Albanian and I expect it to be translated to English in the coming days. Kosovar (talk) 01:20, 11 February 2012 (UTC)

"Diplomatic recognitions" tally superfluous for introduction

I think for purposes of clarity and significance that only recognitions from UN member states should be mentioned in the introduction summary. I mean no disrespect to the Sovereign Order of Malta or the Republic of China (Taiwan), but the count of "diplomatic recognitions" is something of a finer point to be made elsewhere, as it carries much less political weight. Tommy1441 (talk) 12:44, 12 February 2012 (UTC)

Any and all forms of diplomatic recognitions/contact need to be mentioned in this article. The article is called the International Recognition of Kosovo, not "the UN Member States' recognition of Kosovo". --alchaemia (talk) 09:20, 13 February 2012 (UTC)

I am talking about the intro only. What quasi states and micronations think about Kosovo is not something that should be in bold, let alone in the introduction summary, in my opinion. Obviously they are diplomatic relations which need to be mentioned, but like I said, elsewhere in the article is the place for that. Tommy1441 (talk) 03:28, 14 February 2012 (UTC)

Once again, since you seem to have a comprehension problem: it doesn't matter whether those are "quasi states" (your lack of objectivity is rearing its ugly head here), or micronations; a diplomatic recognition is a diplomatic recognition, and it needs to be noted. In fact, the very next sentence makes a difference between regular diplomatic recognitions and UN Member States' diplomatic recognitions. So yours is a "solution" looking for a problem. --alchaemia (talk) 13:48, 14 February 2012 (UTC)

You are the one with the comprehension problem who thought I wanted to get rid of the diplomatic recognition count altogether, when all I was saying was that it should be mentioned lower down as opposed to being bold and in the introduction. How on earth can you accuse me of lacking objectivity? Taiwan, Sovereign Order of Malta, South Ossetia, et cetera ARE quasi-states, no idiot would debate otherwise. Being semi-recognized non-UN member states makes them exactly quasi-states. And yet the diplomatic recognitions parameter itself treats these quasi-states equal with sovereign states. Stop telling me "it needs to be noted" as I am not disagreeing with you on that point and never did suggest that. Comprehend? The "next sentence" should not just be "next," it should take precedence, whereas the moot point of recognitions from quasi-states needs to take a back seat. There is a difference between "looking for a problem" and merely attempting to improve the relevance, format and quality of an article. Tommy1441 (talk) 13:47, 15 February 2012 (UTC)

How is UN membership a criterion for validity of statehood? As an indicator of general acceptance of statehood, sure, but it can be argued that statehood exists whether anyone outside the state accepts it or not. The Republic of China (not Taiwan) and South Ossetia are states if their own populations accept them as states. SMOM makes no claim to statehood at all, merely to sovereignty. --Khajidha (talk) 14:30, 15 February 2012 (UTC)

There is no such thing as "quasi-state". What you refer to as "quasi-state" are "normal" sovereign states that don't have universal recognition. Some, such as Palestine and Kosovo are recognized by substantial number of other states, others not so much or at all. Also, according to your logic the following are quasi-states: Israel, PRChina (many don't recognize those); Vatican City, Cook Islands, Niue (those aren't UN members); Switzerland and others in the period before they joined the UN. And of course SMOM is not a quasi-state - it doesn't claim statehood at all, it's a non-state sovereign entity, just like the Holy See in the beginning of the 20th century. Your wish for prominence of the UN count is already present prominently in the article - UN figure is bold in the lead and more importantly the list of recognizers is split along UN/Non-UN. Further "elevation" of the UN is not going to improve the relevance, format and quality, on the contrary.

I agree with Khajidha and Alchaemia. The issue was under discussion before and the conclusion is to count all recognitions, without making qualifications ourselves about which recognitions are "more important". Of course, notable organizations (UN, EU, NATO, OIC in this case) figures are also mentioned. Japinderum (talk) 11:14, 16 February 2012 (UTC)

Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati: Lebanon will take into consideration the recognition of Kosovo

Chairwoman of the Parliament of Albania, Jozefina Topalli during a tour of visits to some countries are lobbying for the recognition of Kosovo. In Beirut, Lebanon's Prime Minister promised that Lebanon will take into consideration the recognition of Kosovo. Web site of the Parliament of Albania

Is that really what it says? As far as I can tell (via Google Translate, which is good but not perfect), the text merely says that Lebanon has promised to take the matter seriously. Anyway, I've added a few words. Bazonka (talk) 18:13, 15 February 2012 (UTC)

Uganda recognised the independence of the Republic of Kosovo

According to KosovaPress [1] Uganda has recognised the independence of the Republic of Kosovo. They report that the recognition was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Behxhet Pacolli, who has already received note verbale. The Kosovar MFA is yet to confirm. Many thanks, Kosovar (talk) 11:46, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

Gazeta Express [2] is also reporting the same news. Still awaiting formal confirmation by the Kosovar MFA. Thanks for the link anonymous. Kosovar (talk) 11:51, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

And the news is spreading like wild fire: RTK [3]; Koha [4]; Zëri [5]; IndeksOnline [6]. Kosovar (talk) 11:54, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

NOW IT IS OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED!! Uganda recognizes Kosovo-independence!

http://www.noa.al/3/artikull.php?id=151103

Sascha,Germany, 79.233.28.72 (talk) 12:05, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

The official Verbal Note of the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni Verbal Note of Uganda — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.78.79.156 (talk) 14:02, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

According to the verbale note the recognition has happened since December 5, 2011???Verbal Note of Uganda — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.78.79.156 (talk) 14:18, 17 February 2012 (UTC) MFA of Kosovo published the news http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=1,4,1118 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.78.79.156 (talk) 14:23, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

I've moved Uganda to the correct chronological place in the list, before Ghana. Bazonka (talk) 16:02, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

Nota bene

I’d like to remind everybody that one of the pages in need of an update whenever a new country recognizes Kosovo is Kosovan passport.—Emil J. 16:11, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

Good point. I always forget about that. Bazonka (talk) 16:26, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

Embassy of the State of Palestine in Tirana congratulates Kosovo for its independence

One of the oldest embassy of Palestine, the embassy in Tirana, Republic of Albania congratulated Kosovo state for the fourth birthday. Official social pages of the Embassy

I don't think Facebook is a reliable source. Bazonka (talk) 20:01, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

We can call in the Embassy number +355 42379285 for the confirmation, but this pages is administered by the staff of the Embassy. Oftentimes Palestinian ambassador in Tirana Issam Massalha said that Jerusalem (Ramallah) de facto recognize Kosovo.

Maybe so, but phone calls and Facebook cannot be used in Wikipedia - see WP:IRS. Please don't forget to sign your posts. Bazonka (talk) 23:13, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

Uganda disputed

Vuk Jeremic says he had a phone call with Henry Oryem Okello, State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) of Uganda and that he told him that there was no recognition - [7]

However not to trust Jeremic's words, let's take a look at the recognition letter - [8]. It just says that the president of Uganda congratulates Kosovo on it's advancement towards independence and that they are behind other countries that recognized Kosovo. But it's not a recognition per se. It's some kind of a diplomatic game to appease both sides I guess.--Avala (talk) 13:18, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

It's my understanding that the letter Pacolli showed on Friday was different from the one you've linked to. - Canadian Bobby (talk) 15:12, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

The note verbale is adressed to the "former President of Kosovo" and the "First Dpt. Prime Minister, Government of Kosovo". It says that Uganda is "behind other countries that recognized Kosovo" and it "looks forward to enhanced diplomatic [...] relationship with the Government of Kosovo". I think that's pretty clear. No need to change anything. Gugganij (talk) 14:43, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

He also mentioned Nigeria and Central African Republic as ones that didnt recognized Kosovo! Check here: [9]--Obelixus (talk) 15:08, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

He's mentioned things in the past that were refuted/denied by the countries named. - Canadian Bobby (talk) 15:12, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

Don't remember anyone refuting him? Anyway here he named the Ugandan FM by name and specifically said he talked to him and that no recognition took place. It would be a huge violation of diplomatic rules to make something like that up. One thing is to say "our sources tell us that this is not true" and a completely different thing is to quote someone. And as we can see in that letter it does talk about Kosovo going towards independence, in the future tense. It would be the violation of NPOV and an OR not to include this in the article because sources on recognition are from Kosovo and not from Uganda which makes sources from Serbia perfectly valid to dispute this. So until a source from Uganda is found both views must be included in the article and let the readers decide.--Avala (talk) 16:28, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

Last year he said that Guinea-Bissau and Oman hadn't recognized. Those countries expressed surprise about it and said, "Yeah, we did." I would say that unless the Uganda authorities refute the recognition story, it stands. This is getting very silly. If he said the sky was green, would we have to include that, too? 'Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said the sky is green. Even though he's the only person who said it, to be fair, we have to include it and consider the matter disputed.' Is that where we're going? - Canadian Bobby (talk) 19:22, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

(unindent)The point is that Jeremic has disputed many recognitions and in all cases he was wrong so please read the previous discussions as Jeremic's statements to Serbian media have always been refuted. However, if Ugandan officials do refute it then it'll be removed, but we're not going to dispute it based on media statements of someone who has been repeatedly wrong, while the Kosovan foreign ministry has released to the public the official documentation [10]. --— ZjarriRrethues — ^talk 17:25, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

Maybe, but we can't decide on this talk page on that. The whole point of the NPOV is to provide the neutral point of view. And on matters of Uganda, Serbian and Kosovan Foreign Ministers are equally reliable. There is nothing that puts one or the other in front of the other one. And right now there is no source from Uganda for the recognition either so according to your logic we should remove Uganda until they refute Jeremic which we shouldn't do. Until there is a source from Uganda itself we must include both views. Pretty simple rule.--Avala (talk) 18:00, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

It is not important how truthful Jeremić is or not. This recognision is disputed, while some others are definitely not. That is only relevant data, and that must be in article. --WhiteWriter^speaks 18:10, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

The Verbal Note of Central African Republic [11]. Jeremiç: "Republic of Albania, USA and Germany never recognize Kosovo." Lol Jeremiç! He needs a psychiatric consultation. According to the Constitution of Uganda, Uganda sanctions a republican form of government with a powerful president. Yoweri Museveni has the constitutional power to foreign affairs of Uganda. Irvi hyka (talk) 20:07, 19 February 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.78.79.156 (talk)

Jeremic has been proven wrong before. Lets wait and see if Uganda states that they didn't recognise before rushing to make decisions. IJA (talk) 23:07, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

The recognizing country and the receiving country are the only ones whose announcements matter in situations like this. These "disputes" people keep mentioning are not the supposed recognizing country announcing to the world that they did not recognize, they are Jeremic saying that the supposed recognizing country has told him this. They are nothing more than hearsay. If Uganda or any other country wishes to dispute their supposed recognition they should make a statement to the world at large, not to Jeremic. Otherwise these "disputes" and "retractions" are just noise and may rightly be completely ignored. --Khajidha (talk) 18:30, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

The Page is being vandalized

Some ambitious editors are removing countries from the list of those recognizing. So far they've whittled the list down to 84. It should be restored to 88 and protection added for the page. - Canadian Bobby (talk) 21:31, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

I agree. This page was vandalized. I published as ref the verbal note of GB [12], of CAR [13] as the example of Uganda and Guinea. Irvi Hyka (talk) 23:08, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

Who is the Ugandan head of diplomacy?

Jeremic claims that contact with the Minister Henry Oryem Okello. Henry Oryem Okello is State Minister for Foreign Affairs. Pacolli contacts with Sam Kutesa [14]. Sam Kutesa is Minister of Foreign Affairs. Uganda have two ministers of foreign affairs??? Ugandan foreign policy according to the constitution is responsibility of the president, but the most surprising fact is that Uganda have two ministers of foreign affairs Henry Oryem Okello and Sam Kutesa [15] Irvi Hyka (talk) 23:00, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

Kutesa is also listed on the Ugandan Parliament's website as being the FM (as Kuteesa) [16]. - Canadian Bobby (talk) 23:13, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

Yep, Kuteesa seems to be the cabinet's FM and Okello his assistant (state minister). BajramKrasniqi (talk) 23:22, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

According Wikipedia [17] "Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister." So fanny Jeremic believe that an assistant minister have more power than the minister or the president. Irvi Hyka (talk) 00:32, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

Constitution of Uganda: 99/1 "The executive authority of Uganda is vested in the President and shall be exercised in accordance with this Constitution and the laws of Uganda." 98/1 "There shall be a President of Uganda who shall be the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and the Fountain of Honour." [18] Irvi Hyka (talk) 01:16, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

Fake recognitions

Jeremic claims that self called republic Kosovo is making fake recognitions. Same as Uganda hasn`t recognized Kosovo, there was few other fake recognitions when "Republic Kosovo" said that some contury recognized Kosovo, but this wasn`t true. He claim that fake recognition was in case central africa republik, oman, guinea bissao. Delegations of Oman and Guinea-bissao last year officiali confirmed to him that this conturies didn`t recognized Kosovo. There is news on Radio-television of Serbia, what can be reference for this that. --Јованвб (talk) 01:34, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

Yawn. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz We have an archive where this has already been thoroughly discussed. There is also a feed open regarding Uganda. Please don't create new sections when there is already an existing one. GB and Oman reconfirmed their recognitions after Jeremic denied them. He was proven wrong. Please see the archive for full details. IJA (talk) 08:00, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

Diffs or didn't happen. Artem Karimov (talk) 10:13, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

What do you mean "...or didn't happen"? Are you suggesting that the mighty IJA can alter history by publishing, or not publishing, something on this page? Search the archives. And look at [19], [20] and [21]. Bazonka (talk) 10:22, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

No but mighty IJA could claim things that did not happen. Care to provide non-Albanian sources? Artem Karimov (talk) 21:47, 26 February 2012 (UTC)

The Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau verbal notes are published on Albanian websites, but they're definitely not Albanian documents. Who else is likely to publish them anyway? Kosovo is not big news in CAR and GB, and there's no fantastic web-presence there anyway. You can stick your head in the sand and refuse to believe if you want, but these notes are good enough evidence for me. And I have no reason to disbelieve the report on Oman - it is entirely credible and the Omanis haven't refuted it. Bazonka (talk) 21:54, 26 February 2012 (UTC)

Date of Ugandan recognition

We are currently listing Uganada as recognizing Kosovo on 5 December 2011 since that is the date on the Note Verbale. However, the Kosovo MFA is listing them as recognizing on 17 February 2012. Shouldn't we follow their lead? TDL (talk) 04:19, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

Recognition happens when the recognising country makes their decision. This is an entirely internal matter. They may decide to tell Kosovo immediately or they could wait. In this case I suspect Pacolli has been holding on to the letter for a while. But it is clearly not a decision made by the Ugandans this month. I think the Kosovo MFA is wrong. Bazonka (talk) 12:33, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

In an interview for Express Newspaper, the former President of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli, clarify the situation for the delay publication of the recognition of Uganda. He said that he has time to know that Uganda recognizes Kosovo, but on February 15, the note verbale came to Prishtina[22]. On 31 December, which was published the recognition of Sao Tomeo and Principe, Pacolli said that another state had recognized Kosovo, he was referring to Uganda.[23] Irvi Hyka (talk) 18:05, 20 February 2012 (UTC)

Oman should be removed from list of recognitions

Oman should not be listed amongst the states that have recognised Kosovo. There have been doubts in the past about the veracity of the claims that it has recognised Kosovo, but as the following report makes absolutely clear it has not done so. As the report notes, Rexhep Boja, the charge d'affaires of the Embassy of Kosovo in Saudi Arabia, has said that Oman has not recognised Kosovo:

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093484893

On a related note, I think that this page needs to be treated with greater impartiality. This is an important reference source, and is being used far too often by a select group editors as a chance to press a particular viewpoint and suggest the maximum number of recognitions. There are very serious doubts about the accuracy of claims that Nigeria, the Central African Republic and Uganda have recognised Kosovo. A new category of contested recognitions should be established to reflect this situation. Stating that they have recognised Kosovo on the basis of statements from Pristina, while rejecting counter-claims from Belgrade, casts doubt on the neutrality of this page and undermines its value as a reference source. I am not asking that all recognitions be moved into this category unless evidence from the country concerned can be furnished, but I am asking that where serious doubts exist - and we are only talking about a small number of countries - they are reflected in the article. For the sake of those of us who use this site a serious reference tool (and Wikipedia has had to work hard to lose its reputation for inaccuracy), I would ask those editors to set aside their personal feelings and take an unbiased approach to editing this page. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 158.143.81.68 (talk) 16:28, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

Recognition from the Sultanate of Oman is reconfirmed. Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Enver Hoxhaj received confirmation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah of full recognition of the independence of Kosovo. Prime Minister Thaçi and the Foreign Minister of Oman agreed that soon diplomatic relations will be established between the two states, through the exchange of ambassadors.The meeting between Prime Minister Thaçi and Hoxhaj and the Foreign Minister bin Abdullah was held at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman at the UN in New York on 20 September 2011 [24]. The article: "Boja said 88 UN member states have recognized Kosovo" (with Oman) Who is 88th??? I believe the article have a problem!!! Maybe he confuse Oman with Yemen. The article is not coherent Irvi Hyka (talk) 17:54, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

No one would take seriously claims from (to pick a random country) Angola about what countries have or have not recognized (to pick another random country) Paraguay. Why should Serbia's claims in this case be taken any more seriously? Let me repeat what I said above: The recognizing country and the receiving country are the only ones whose announcements matter in situations like this. These "disputes" people keep mentioning are not the supposed recognizing country announcing to the world that they did not recognize, they are Jeremic saying that the supposed recognizing country has told him this. They are nothing more than hearsay. If Uganda or any other country wishes to dispute their supposed recognition they should make a statement to the world at large, not to Jeremic. Otherwise these "disputes" and "retractions" are just noise and may rightly be completely ignored. --Khajidha (talk) 18:08, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

An anonymous user with no prior edits is lecturing us on impartiality? Really? I believe what is meant when some editors refer to "impartiality" is that hearsay stories in the Serbian media should be presented as fact. What is really at issue here is whether we should give Vuk Jeremic the right to veto any story regarding recognitions. All he has to do is say "no" and we are supposed to take the information down. I am not prepared to concede that to him. Has it never occured to any of you that planting doubt is a diplomatic strategy? If you can make things seem murky, it creates doubt and uncertainty. It is possible that he is trying to make the Kosovars look like liars and damage their international credibility in order to discourage recognitions. It would also be in his interest to claim they didn't happen because each recognition that happens represents a diplomatic failure on his part. These denials from Belgrade didn't begin to occur until we got to around 80 recognitions. Maybe that was the threshold for a new strategy such as I suggest? - Canadian Bobby (talk) 21:31, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

I agree with that, but were there to be a credible reason, based on a reliable source, to believe that one country's recognition is questionable, then I think we should mention it in the article. I repeat: credible. Bazonka (talk) 21:55, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

I agree. If we had something solid and credible, as you say, to go on then we could discuss changes. Otherwise, it's white noise. - Canadian Bobby (talk) 21:59, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

There are no compelling reasons to suggest why Oman should be "removed" from the list. Or does the IP think that if we removed it from the list on Wikipedia it will mean that Oman no longer recognises Kosovo the real world? Editing Wikipedia does not change reality. IJA (talk) 07:56, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

To Canadian Bobby: I think the total of recognitions is getting too close to 50% of the membership of the UN for Belgrade's comfort. The pro-Serb side has always made a big deal out of the fact that the majority of the countries in the world still consider Kosovo as part of Serbia. If that were to change, their position would take a massive hit. --Khajidha (talk) 05:00, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

Kosovo official claims that Oman hasn't recognised

In this Arab News article [25], Rexhep Boja, charge d'affaires of the Kosovo Embassy in Riyadh, states that Kosovo is still waiting for recognition from Oman. However, Boja is also quoted as claiming that 88 countries have recognised. Something's not right.
I noticed that our friend Irvi Hyka has commented on the article, querying whether perhaps Boja meant Yemen instead of Oman. However the article is specifically about Gulf Cooperation Council members; Yemen is not a member (although it is a candidate). Bazonka (talk) 09:06, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

Then why did the Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs reconfirm the recognition of Kosovo? [26] Also why did Oman establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo too? http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=2,4,629 IJA (talk) 10:18, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

Yeah, it looks like Boja is talking nonsense. But it's rather worrying that this is the case. Bazonka (talk) 10:23, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

He could be confused as the recognition was done via the establishment of diplomatic relations rather than just stating "We recognise Kosovo" in a letter to the MFA. Or maybe he is Vuk Jeremic in disguise? IJA (talk) 15:05, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

I am totally surprised by the behavior of Rexhep Boja. He is haed of the Embassy of Kosovo in Riadh (Saudi Arabia), but I notice he is playing the game of Jeremiç. Today I search for more information and found another article published in Arab News last year, on 10 June 2011. [27] even in this article Boja says that Oman has not recognized Kosovo. In June 2011, the media in Prishtina, especially Gazeta Express publish this as a scandal [28] [29]. MFA of Kosovo not respond last year. Even in this article has no coherence. Boja says Oman that not recognize Kosovo but even been 76 countries (last year) that recognize Kosovo. Who is 76th? Oman is the 75th and Andorra the 76th. I will contact with Deputy FM Petrit Selimi for the irresponsible act of the diplomat of Kosovo in SA. In my opinion the problem is that Kosovo being a new state haven't career diplomat. For example Rexhep Boja is (was) a Mufti [30], the ambasasdor of Kosovo in Tirana is a Lieutenant General!!! Opposition and former chief of diplomacy Skënder Hyseni often criticizes the government for these selections. Irvi Hyka (talk) 20:43, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

Ghana and Serbia in diplomatic row

Serbia has booted Samuel Valis-Akyianu, Ghana's Ambassador to Serbia, out of the country after a major diplomatic row. The FM of Ghana, Muhammad Mumuni, told Parliament on Wednesday the hitherto “cordial relations” between the two countries suffered serious bruises after Ghana recognised break-away Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia as an independent state. Following the row, angry Serbia sent Ambassador Valis-Akyianu packing in an attempt to mount pressure on Accra to reverse its decision to recognise neighbouring Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008. “Following the decision of the Ghana to recognise Kosovo, the Serbian authorities have asked Ghana's Ambassador in Belgrade to return home and consult with the Ghana to reverse the recognition,” the Minister said. He added: “Moreover, the Serbian Government has requested its Honorary Consulate in Accra to be closed down”. “The reaction of the Serbia to Ghana's recognition of Kosovo leaves us with no better choice than to order the complete closure of our mission in Belgrade,” Mumuni said. Ghana News [31] Irvi Hyka (talk • contribs) 17:03, 29 February 2012 (UTC)

Interesting, but not appropriate for this article. It would be better discussed at Talk:Foreign relations of Ghana or Talk:Foreign relations of Serbia. Also, please remember to sign your posts. Bazonka (talk) 17:25, 29 February 2012 (UTC)

I think this development is very relevant to the international recognition of Kosovo since it lays to rest any doubts that Ghana has recognised the independence of Kosovo and, at least for me, it is the first time that a Ghanaian official -- in this instance its Foreign Minister -- has publicly stated that Ghana has recognised the independence of Kosovo and that the decision was taken by the Ghanaian president himself. I would not be surprised if in the coming days or weeks someone will come along and suggest that we remove Ghana or Oman or Country-X from the recognition list again because this media outlet or this Serbian official questions the authenticity of their recognition. So, I see value in these reports. Kosovar (talk) 09:59, 1 March 2012 (UTC)

I'm inclined to agree in principle with you. This definitely casts much doubt on the claims that all the recent recognitions are "lies" and, in the words of Jeremic, "cheating." One doesn't expel ambassadors over events that did not occur. - Canadian Bobby (talk) 21:24, 1 March 2012 (UTC)

Something's wrong

According to the article, Haiti is the 88th UN member states have recognised Kosovo but according to the official press release of the Kosovar Ministry of Foreign Affairs [32], Haiti is only the 87th state to recognise Kosovo. So apparantly we're counting a country that Kosovo itself doesn't. Dinsdagskind (talk) 14:46, 2 March 2012 (UTC)

The disagreement arises because the Kosovar MFA lists Uganda as the 88th state to recognize the ROK, while we have moved it to an earlier position based on the actual date that Uganda extended recognition and not on the date it was announced to the world. See the following link for the complete list from the Kosovar MFA. http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=2,33 --Khajidha (talk) 15:40, 2 March 2012 (UTC)